Environment day: City focuses on reducing air pollution at home

Smoke from cigarettes is just one factor of indoor air pollution, a crisis which many families in Chennai are aiming to tackle this World Environment Day (June 5), since the theme is air pollution. They are replacing fuel-powered generators, pesticide repellents and so on with sustainable and eco-friendly options.

According to Environment Information System (ENVIS) Centre Tamil Nadu, “Indoor air pollution and urban air quality are listed as two of the world’s worst toxic pollution problems.” The two causes of pollution are natural (dust, natural gases like radon, smoke and carbon monoxide from wildfires etc.) and anthropogenic (manmade), the latter has overtaken in terms of harm caused on human beings and the environment,” said the organisation.

In order to combat this, a couple in KK Nagar is taking simple but effective steps. S Sabapathy, a retired civil engineer, and his wife Nithya have stopped using artificial pesticides or insect repellents. They said, “We used to face a cockroach menace. We started off with buying Mortein and Hit but when I read the ingredients at the back of the bottle, I couldn’t believe we were inhaling so many chemicals. I found a simple, eco-friendly alternative online that is even more effective and safe compared to store-bought insect, pest repellents.”

The couple has replaced commercial mosquito repellents, glass, toilet and floor cleaners too with homemade herbal ones. The couple also advocate keeping house plants that help in absorbing impurities from the air.

ENVIS Centre further stated that, “The major source of indoor air pollution includes fuel wood and biomass being used for cooking in low income households. At present, over 100 million Indian households are using traditional fuels such as dried cow dung, agricultural wastes and firewood as cooking fuel at least two-three times a day.”

Sheela J and her husband, who live in the outhouse of a guest house on East Coast Road, said one of the biggest changes they’ve made to reduce air pollution at home is replacing kerosene and firewood stoves with gas. “The government has been creating awareness about the hazards of cooking with fuel wood and biomass cakes. Even around six months ago, we would cook rice and fish curry on firewood stoves but after switching to gas, I feel like I can breathe better. My husband coughs lesser as well,” said the 46-year-old.